It’s no secret that the combination of sky rocketing gas and food prices, high unemployment, and poor consumer confidence, together with the proliferation of adjustable rate mortgages, interest only loans, “pick-a-payment loans”, and tumbling real estate values have caused mortgage foreclosures to climb at an alarming rate. While other parts of Florida have been hit especially hard, Jacksonville and the surrounding areas of Orange Park, Ponte Vedra, Jacksonville Beach, and Atlantic Beach are too being hit hard.

To that end, we are finding that clients are unaware of their options when it comes to dealing with their mortgage company. For this reason, we want to provide prospective clients with a list of options and methods for avoiding foreclosure.  Read the rest of this entry »

According to statistics released on February 19, 2008 by the Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida, bankruptcy filings in the district during the year 2007 were up 70% over the prior year. In turn, the Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, which includes Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa, became the sixth busiest court in the Nation. There are 90 Federal Districts that report bankruptcy statistics.

Topping the list was the Eastern District of Michigan with 33,799 bankruptcy filings for the 12 months ending September 30, 2007. Rounding out the top six were: Read the rest of this entry »